As a leading manufacturer of bathroom products, Laufen is conscious of its responsibility towards society and the environment. That is why the Swiss bathroom brand, together with the Roca Group, has joined the United Nations Global Compact, a worldwide pact between companies and the UN that aims to build stronger corporate sustainability practices for a sustainable and inclusive future.
By joining the UN Global Compact, Laufen expresses its willingness to align its operation to the highest social and environmental standards and to promote them within the company's sphere of influence. The Compact defines these standards in ten principles on human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. Laufen undertakes to cultivate these principles as part of its corporate strategy and culture, as well as its day-to-day activities, and to participate in cooperation projects that contribute to the general development goals of the United Nations and to document the steps taken, and the results achieved, in an annual progress report.
"A company that is active worldwide and whose core competencies include the handling of drinking water and earthen materials cannot help but make sustainability and the protection of natural resources the central reference point of its actions. We are convinced that only sustainable production and management will lead to inclusive growth and long-term success" explains Antonio Linares, Senior Managing Director of the company.
As early as 1997, Laufen's first production facilities were ISO 14001 certified and EMAS audited. Today, the environmental impact of Laufen's ceramic products is independently verified and documented in an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) according to ISO14025, EN15804 and EN16578. In addition, Laufen aligns its sustainable and social measures in the areas of CO2 reduction, materials, product, employees, social commitment, supply chains, logistics and communication, with the ambitious sustainability roadmap of the Roca Group.
With its separation toilet save!, Laufen was able to demonstrate how far the contribution of a bathroom manufacturer can go. "This innovative toilet, which separates urine from black water and thus enables the recovery of valuable nutrients, shows one way in which smart building fixtures can aid the transition to an environmentally sound and circular economy," says Antonio Linares. Furthermore, Laufen is also developing save! into a urine-separating squat pan, the design of which will be handed over to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as soon as it is finalised.
